Carving Out A New Career

Artisan Makes Chips Fly

October 23, 2002|By KATHY HANLEY; Courant Staff Writer

EAST WINDSOR — During a succession of industrial jobs, Pierre Leclerc always had a dream of being his own boss. He didn't know what kind of work it would be, but since being laid off last year from a Bloomfield fiber optics company, Leclerc is creating his own field of dreams.

Motorists traveling on Route 5 in East Windsor see the results of what Leclerc describes as his true calling.

Over the summer Leclerc, 30, was busy decorating a vacant field with huge animals carved out of white pine and poplar. A teepee and a totem pole attract attention and customers to see the grizzly bears, eagles, alligators, coyotes and even a cactus stored in his shop. A 4-foot-tall Easter bunny with floppy ears was his first sale.

This layoff was kind of a blessing in disguise, Leclerc says. ``I only started realizing lately that I could do this for a living.''

His prices range from $20 for smaller pieces such as birdhouses and up to $700 for larger sculptures. His best-selling items are the 3-foot-tall bears.

``I m definitely happier. I probably won't get rich,'' the East Hartford resident says. ``But I like what I'm doing.''

As a kid, Leclerc watched his father and grandfather do decorative woodcarvings of moose and animals inspired by their Canadian heritage, but he was never allowed to touch the tools. So when he was first laid off, Leclerc started carving Native American peace pipes and other small items.

For inspiration, he copied from his collection of Native American figurines. Soon he was working with chainsaws, grinders and drills on huge logs. Several of his sculptures weigh at least 700 pounds.

Leclerc has leased a two-bay garage, which is always filled with the sweet smell of sawdust and the whine of power tools. Some of his wood is donated. Visitors tell Leclerc he can have their timber as long as he picks it up. Others have suggested items they want him to carve.

Leclerc has not yet started on a request to carve a giant Elvis statue.